Amber Cares

Giving back to the community is a very important part of my life. Each year I dedicate my time and resources to give back to a number of charities that align with my core principles and values. Here is a place where you can discover organizations, I believe, are truly making difference.

With your help, I am able to make donations to these charities by giving back a percentage of every merchandize purchase from my website.

Check back often, as I will continue to feature inspirational organizations throughout the year, as together we make a difference.

CANADIAN ANIMAL ASSISTANCE TEAM

How can one person save hundreds of dogs and cats?

In the vast majority of Canadian communities, it is unusual to have pets that have not been spayed or neutered or have not had regular vaccinations and basic health care. In fact, for most of us, it is difficult to imagine having little or no access to health care for your pets, however, there are countless pet owners in remote and under- served communities in Canada where this is the reality.

Many of these communities are full of dogs and cats that are not sterilized, not vaccinated and do not have access to minimal health care. Most pet owners want to have these things done but they are either in very remote locations with no access to veterinary services OR they are just not able to afford to travel to a veterinary clinic (often a fair distance) or pay for the services.

The result is an overwhelming number of dogs and cats. The animal numbers reach a point where there is no where for them to go and no one to care for them. The cycle continues and creates a population struggling to survive, often malnourished and unhealthy.

There is also the concern with stray dog packs becoming a danger to the children and elderly in these communities. Even the pets with homes struggle with disease and repeated pregnancies due to lack of basic health care.

Many of these communities are trying to find a solution. They often work with a local animal rescue group to re-home some of the unwanted animals. These rescue groups are often stretched to the limit of their resources and the reality is the supply of dogs and cats in need of homes is often overwhelming. The key is to prevent the pregnancies and provide basic health care and that is the mission of the Canadian Animal Assistance Team (CAAT).

CAAT is a registered Canadian charity that sends in veterinary teams that volunteer their time to provide the much needed services to spay/neuter events in partnering communities. CAAT sets up a temporary, MASH-like clinic right in the host village. Providing these services assists the animals, the community as a whole and also dramatically reduces the burden on organizations that are trying to rehome animals every year.

“How can one person save hundreds of dogs and cats?” The answer, just ONE spay. One spay stops hundreds of pregnancies that would have resulted from litters of puppies and kittens that become the animals in need. The numbers add up quickly! That one spay stops countless cats and dogs from becoming strays, from needing rehoming, from living a life on the fringe.

Would you like to help CAAT make a difference in animal’s lives? I encourage you to join them in their mission, just like I have. You can make a difference in so many ways, through donations, through corporate sponsorships, through donating Aeroplan miles and through becoming a member! On their projects they need humane educators, veterinarians, veterinary technicians, admissions people, and assistants to help them help the animals.